When Equality Now first opened its doors 25 years ago, the world was a different place. A quarter century ago nations of the world were still three years away from signing the Beijing Platform for Action, finally declaring that women’s rights were human rights. In 1992, domestic violence was a part of life and the media was not likely to cover issues of violence against women. This fledgling organization set out to ignite a global movement to use the law to put an end to gender-based violence and discrimination. In the last 25 years, in partnership with activists around the globe, we have contributed towards the change of over 50 sex discriminatory laws – such as those prohibiting women from owning property, working, inheriting, travelling, passing their nationality or their name; those requiring wife obedience; and those allowing rape and so-called “honor” killings. Just this summer, in Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia, we contributed to the movement calling for the repeal of laws that allow rapists to go free if they married their victims.
Today, female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered a human rights violation and extreme form of violence against women, instead of just another ‘cultural rite of passage’. And there is now an inextricable link between trafficking in persons and the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls. 2017 has been another watershed year in the women’s rights movement. Women, in large numbers, are voicing their stories of what they have endured in the workplace, on public transport, in legislatures and in sports. Their power and courage is changing perceptions, policies and culture. It is our duty to build on this powerful momentum to deliver generational change in the law. Part of marking our 25th anniversary in 2017 was re-dedicating to the changes that still need to be made. Change won’t be possible without the trust and support of our partners, donors and the strength of the survivors we work with. The global women’s rights movement is a force to be reckoned with and we are proud to be a part of the monumental fight toward women’s equality.
